6A
FEATURES
Help a soon-to-be-retired guy out
Dear Annie: I am 57 years old. there for a couple of months. It was
My wife and I have been married her little niece who finally noticed it
for 20 years, and we don’t have and immediately grabbed a broom.
kids. My wife always had nieces There’s a door to our house that’s
and nephews to occupy her time had tape around the glass for four
and now spends time with their years. She’s been saying for four
children. I was self-employed and years she is about to start sanding,
staining and varnishing it.
recently got a lucrative
DEAR
Do I bring this partner
hourly position that takes a
along with me into retire-
lot of my time, even more
ANNIE
ment to enjoy the fruits of
with forced overtime and
my labor? Currently, while
travel back and forth.
I am swamped beyond
I have always been
belief with work, she is lit-
swamped with projects,
erally at the park flying a
both mandatory house
kite with her niece.
maintenance and updat-
Yes, I’ve snapped at
ing and forward-looking
Lane
her
before. I’ve told her
projects on my properties Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
that a sandwich at noon,
and a hobby car. Lately,
at least, would be nice. —
I have been reflecting on
my life and where I’m at. I cannot Overwhelmed in Michigan
Dear Overwhelmed: You’ve
find a single instance of a project
in which my wife did anything to snapped, but have you tried speak-
benefit the house. I can understand ing? It’s possible that your wife
not helping on my other properties, has no idea how profoundly this is
but the house where we both live? bothering you; she may even think
Yes, she takes care of the laundry, you like doing home improvement
cooks dinner and mows the lawn, projects. The only way to know is
albeit with a push mower that takes to talk about it. I get the impression
her five times as long as the riding that you see your home as an exten-
sion of your relationship. Explain
mower would.
I have done remodeling and left that to her, and tell her how when
the debris lying out just to see how she neglects projects and doesn’t
long she would step over it before pitch in, it feels as if she just doesn’t
sweeping up. In one case, it lay care. Give her the chance to step up
and show that she cares.
Keep in mind that you can
develop a peculiar type of farsight-
edness after living with someone
for a long time. You have 20/20
vision when seeing that person’s
flaws but blindness when it comes
to your own. So have some more
compassion, and recognize the
things your wife does do for the
house. Step away from the tally
board while you try really working
this out.
Dear Annie: Here is an addi-
tional response to “Sickened,” the
man who became distant with his
wife after finding out about rela-
tionships she had before they met:
The greatest disservice in your
unloving attitude to your wife
may have been to your son. You
wasted a lot of years in which you
could have been his greatest role
model for his marriage. Instead, he
learned from you how to be distant
and unfaithful to one’s marriage
vows. How very sad. It may not be
too late. That’s up to you. — Toni
Dear Toni: I was so focused on
how he had neglected his marriage
that I didn’t think to address the
way this surely impacted his son.
I agree with your suggestion and
encourage “Sickened” to make this
right. Thank you.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2017
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). With so much
going on in your life, it may be challenging to
pick out which is the most relevant thing to dis-
cus with the different people with whom you’ll
interact. Make a shrewd choice. There will be
a prize for getting it right.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). In order for
someone to really understand you, they need
a little context. Tell them where you’re coming
from so that they can have a glimpse of who
you were before this time you’re experiencing
together.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Like Dorothy on
the farm, you’ve the sneaking suspicion that
there’s something better out there for you.
Are you willing to follow the yellow brick road
knowing that it’s going to lead you right back
home?
CANCER (June 22-July 22). The tension
will rise. There’s more to gain; there’s more to
lose. Then again, you never were in this for
the easy glory. And there’s nothing that beats
the confidence you get from having walked
through the fire.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The magic number
will be, once again, three. You’ll need to try
three times before you give up, include three
examples to support your idea and work in
groups of three wherever possible.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A longer story
isn’t a better story. Too much information can
dilute your purpose. You’ll be remembered and
respected for keeping things short and to the
point.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ve been pur-
suing a goal for a while, and today your work
will take a major turn toward completion. This
home stretch of a project or working dynamic
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
is an excellent time to focus on the purpose
and meaning of it all.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). As of now,
you’re probably still not sure what the best
next step will be. Brainstorming with a pen and
paper or conversing with trusted friends will be
the ideal way to begin forming your plan.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Formalities
will get in the way of forming bonds. Wherever
possible, use an easy, natural manner of
being. Forget the fussy extras that distract
people from the main goal, which is to make
a connection.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Dynamics
aren’t just for musicians. Your attempts to
change up the pace and volume at which you
live your life will make things mighty interest-
ing for you and yours.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You don’t have
to always be the same person. Part of the fun
of interacting with total strangers is that you
can reinvent yourself on the spot and they
won’t know the difference.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll be happy
with some parts of what you’re doing and dis-
appointed with other parts. This is a process.
Take the best; chuck the worst; and rework
whatever you can to make it better.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 2). Your
desire to maximize your potential will be
answered by a teacher and a path to doing
just that. You’ll find new ways to express your
feelings, work through your frustrations and
make your joy contagious. There will be a fa-
vorable financial shift in 2018 after the spotlight
swings to showcase your talent. Aries and
Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9,
40, 22, 28 and 35.